Orange balsam: the flowers are similar in shape, though not in colour, to the generally taller and more robust himalayan balsam. This too is an import, originating in north America. But, perhaps because it is less prone to forming dense clumps, it does not attract the same treatment as an invasive species in urgent need of control.
The ones I notice always seem to be growing right at the edge of canals.
Caterpillar of one of the tussock moths, clinging to the underside of vegetation in someone’s front garden.
Birch boletes, brown mushrooms (the undercaps are yellowish), quite common where there are birch trees nearby.
Foxgloves are biennials, which flower only in their second year. This one did so in spring. The seeds now ripening will be its one shot at producing a new generation next year.
A plant with a lot of aliases: mugwort, common wormwood, felon herb, chrysanthemum weed, wild wormwood, old Uncle Henry, sailor’s tobacco, naughty man, old man, St. John’s plant, and for those who want to get technical Artemisia vulgaris.
A group of eight or ten house sparrows were arguing over which should have the best position on a twig overhanging the Straford Canal not far from the centre of Stratford.
When one of the birds stood near the end, its weight bent the twig just enough to dip the bird’s legs and belly feathers in the water. Sparrows further up the twig had to stretch carefully to wet themselves.